Modulus Basses

[Jaze Bass]

What’s going on with either Modulus basses or their only distributor Planet Bass? I have placed several calls to either place inquiring about placing an order and have had no response. Does anyone have any knowledge?

 

[FreddyK]

I very recently spoke with someone close to the company who said they are all but done. Finishing what they have on-hand to complete and that will likely be the end.

I have a lot to say about the subject and most of the parties involved in the company through the years but will just keep my mouth shut. I will say the actual builder, Joe is top notch and Henry at Lane Poor as well. No idea what is going on with Tony, I hope all is well but there has been no communication or any signal of attention to the brand for quite some time. So sad what has become, yet again.

At this point, maybe at least find a QUALITY foreign company (like those schecter and LTD use), get them up to speed on the carbon process and make the FU and Quantum lines at a somewhat reasonable price for imported licensed copies. A sub $2000 FB4 in sparkle finishes would sell like mad these days I would think.

Also I am still looking for a blue or purple flake FB4 if anyone is selling.

Thank you for the info sir. I had been curious why no one had gotten back to me since January on the issue I was asking. I am extremely sad. All I had wanted really was a BRAND NEW Modulus Q6. Guess it will never happen now. I already own 5 Quantums, but I always wanted a new one!!

 

[ModulusFan]

Thank you for the info sir. I had been curious why no one had gotten back to me since January on the issue I was asking. I am extremely sad. All I had wanted really was a BRAND NEW Modulus Q6. Guess it will never happen now. I already own 5 Quantums, but I always wanted a new one!!

Reach out to Joe Perman, he would be the best to advise.

 

[FreddyK]

Reach out to Joe Perman, he would be the best to advise.

Any ideas how to get hold of Joe? I guess he would not be in an ideal situation right now though. Maybe I will let the dust settle/fall a bit for right now. Though, it is rather upsetting for any Modulus fans.

 

[ModulusFan]

Any ideas how to get hold of Joe? I guess he would not be in an ideal situation right now though. Maybe I will let the dust settle/fall a bit for right now. Though, it is rather upsetting for any Modulus fans.

I will PM you contact info, I don't know of any reason not to ask. The info I posted was from what I would consider a source to know, but was also at the end of the day, hear-say and should be treated as such.

 

[FreddyK]

I will PM you contact info, I don't know of any reason not to ask. The info I posted was from what I would consider a source to know, but was also at the end of the day, hear-say and should be treated as such.

Thank you sir! I appreciate it.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Any ideas how to get hold of Joe? I guess he would not be in an ideal situation right now though.

Yeah, I would think that until the current Modulus company *officially* calls it quits, Joe Perman is still under contract to them, and quite probably with a non-compete clause.

 

[Mashingtonslaps]

I will PM you contact info, I don't know of any reason not to ask. The info I posted was from what I would consider a source to know, but was also at the end of the day, hear-say and should be treated as such.

Hey guys Im looking for a Modulus Funk Unlimited bass do you guys know how I can get a hold of one?

 

[ModulusFan]

Hey guys Im looking for a Modulus Funk Unlimited bass do you guys know how I can get a hold of one?

You and everyone else lol

 

[Mashingtonslaps]

You and everyone else

I only made a talkbass account to look for a modulus bass but I couldnt find any resellers I might even decide to find somebody who wants to swap my moon bass jaggy with larry grahams signature on it for that modulus funk unlimited lol..whats the point of having those basses if youre not going to gig with them

 

[FreddyK]

I only made a talkbass account to look for a modulus bass but I couldnt find any resellers I might even decide to find somebody who wants to swap my moon bass jaggy with larry grahams signature on it for that modulus funk unlimited lol..whats the point of having those basses if youre not going to gig with them

You are keeping a sharp eye on reverb.com yeah? I have found two extremely good ones on there. Also, do a general search on Google for Modulus bass for sale every few days if you’re really determined, I found one that way too a few years ago for $1700. That’s if you’re really keen obviously!

 

[ModulusFan]

I only made a talkbass account to look for a modulus bass but I couldnt find any resellers I might even decide to find somebody who wants to swap my moon bass jaggy with larry grahams signature on it for that modulus funk unlimited lol..whats the point of having those basses if youre not going to gig with them

Well I haven't gigged in years but have had mine for over 20 and am a huge aficionado of the model and always looking out for deals on them. I don't feel the least bit obligated to sell it since life has other responsibilities for me now and I can't gig regularly, if at all. Anyone can gig with a squier and no one in the place will notice or care, collecting or being attached and not wanting to sell doesn't require gigging to justify it. I restored mine to new condition, I don't mind keeping it that way.

 

[ModulusFan]

You are keeping a sharp eye on reverb.com yeah? I have found two extremely good ones on there. Also, do a general search on Google for Modulus bass for sale every few days if you’re really determined, I found one that way too a few years ago for $1700. That’s if you’re really keen obviously!

Those days at those prices are long gone. Clean ones in desirable finishes and appointments are 4-5k now. I agreed to such a price recently and was outbid by someone else, I refuse to bid against myself after agreeing to a price so I let it go. A blue flake in good but not great condition 2003 model with an undesirable bart pickup popped up a week ago on reverb and sold within an hour at 3300. A lane poor pickup (when they become available again) and shipping/tax later and you are 4300+ into it.

 

[Mashingtonslaps]

Those days at those prices are long gone. Clean ones in desirable finishes and appointments are 4-5k now. I agreed to such a price recently and was outbid by someone else, I refuse to bid against myself after agreeing to a price so I let it go. A blue flake in good but not great condition 2003 model with an undesirable bart pickup popped up a week ago on reverb and sold within an hour at 3300. A lane poor pickup (when they become available again) and shipping/tax later and you are 4300+ into it.

Well I haven't gigged in years but have had mine for over 20 and am a huge aficionado of the model and always looking out for deals on them. I don't feel the least bit obligated to sell it since life has other responsibilities for me now and I can't gig regularly, if at all. Anyone can gig with a squier and no one in the place will notice or care, collecting or being attached and not wanting to sell doesn't require gigging to justify it. I restored mine to new condition, I don't mind keeping it that way.

Its true theyre rare as hell but thats why I would like to play one. Ive never really gigged with a fender and refuse to do so. I think having a unique tone is valuable espically when gigging to stand out. Its like people that have vintage motors/ rare motors its good to drive them around and show them to people who havent seen them same with the modulus its good to show those who havent heard a modulus live before same with a modulus its an experience people havent seen espically for the younger players!! Because this day and age instruments like squiers and fenders and ernieball basses are being pushed but nothing stands out! The sound is in the hands some may say which i agree with but specs matter too!!

 

[Speedbird]

I guess I was lucky when I ordered this Q4 Sweet Spot I selected Lane Poor (basically as a process of elimination). This was Jan 2000 (When the dinosaurs ruled the earth ) I grabbed a paper copy of Bass Player, selected Guitar Villa from a little B&W ad in the back, ordered over the phone and paid by MAILing in a money order. IIRC took about 6 months to come in. SN: 000017 so even then production was slow I’d say. Enjoy:

 

[ModulusFan]

I guess I was lucky when I ordered this Q4 Sweet Spot I selected Lane Poor (basically as a process of elimination). This was Jan 2000 (When the dinosaurs ruled the earth ) I grabbed a paper copy of Bass Player, selected Guitar Villa from a little B&W ad in the back, ordered over the phone and paid by MAILing in a money order. IIRC took about 6 months to come in. SN: 000017 so even then production was slow I’d say. Enjoy:
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Awesome! I haven't heard that type of Lane Poor pickup but I am sure they sound great as well. Still some good deals to be had on the Quantums, I suggest snagging up a deal when one pops up. I got this one earlier this year nearly mint for a great deal. I switched to black Hipshot USA and Gotoh ultralight tuners and am still well under 3k into it after tax, shipping, etc. Deals on these still pop up, the FB4's are getting to be unobtanium.

 

[FreddyK]

Those days at those prices are long gone. Clean ones in desirable finishes and appointments are 4-5k now. I agreed to such a price recently and was outbid by someone else, I refuse to bid against myself after agreeing to a price so I let it go. A blue flake in good but not great condition 2003 model with an undesirable bart pickup popped up a week ago on reverb and sold within an hour at 3300. A lane poor pickup (when they become available again) and shipping/tax later and you are 4300+ into it.

Awesome! I haven't heard that type of Lane Poor pickup but I am sure they sound great as well. Still some good deals to be had on the Quantums, I suggest snagging up a deal when one pops up. I got this one earlier this year nearly mint for a great deal. I switched to black Hipshot USA and Gotoh ultralight tuners and am still under 3k into it after tax, shipping, etc. Deals on these still pop up, the FB4's are getting to be unobtanium.

I feel like I see more Q4’s available than Q6’s. There’s actually a nice one on Reverb now under 3k. There was a Turquoise one that sat on there 6+ months that was barely over 2k. Deals are definitely to be had, the one prerequisite is that ya keep an eye on the sites and be ready to jump when one of those deals arise!!

 

[ModulusFan]

I feel like I see more Q4’s available than Q6’s. There’s actually a nice one on Reverb now under 3k. There was a Turquoise one that sat on there 6+ months that was barely over 2k. Deals are definitely to be had, the one prerequisite is that ya keep an eye on the sites and be ready to jump when one of those deals arise!!

This makes a huge difference. Just like the flea/funks - alternate pickup configurations, normal colors, bart pickups, 5 string version etc. all drive the prices down. The right combo (4 string, single MM pickup), color (anything flake) and electronics (lane poor/aguilar) in clean condition brings all the money. Almost everyone prefers the 99+ truss rod models but I love the earliest with the thinnest necks, the flea teeth logo and original lane poor the best, personally.

Same with the quantums. The truss rod eras (99+), two pickups in a 5 string configuration with a nice top and color without gold hardware bring the most cash. Sixes are still popular but there are just fewer 6 players than 5. The 4 strings are still great basses but the most popular Quantum and most sought after are 5's, just like on the flea/funk everyone wants a 4, this is the opposite. The "sweet spot" models have a limited fanbase and demand as well.

Where you can get a great deal is - the ones that sit on sites like GC for 2k forever and don't sell are usually old, no truss, fugly gold hardware and sometimes a sweetspot single pickup model (or a 4 string). Sometimes other shops who aren't as into the Modulus market use that as a comp and price a higher demand one for the same low price. My 99 blackstone was listed on reverb for 2500 in 9.5/10 condition with OHSC, and on the dealers website they had a 10% off offer for first time customers. $2250 and free shipping was way too cheap to pass up on and at least grand or so under market value. I spent a fair amount of money changing the hardware from chrome to black using OE hipshot A bridge and gotoh res-o-lites but am still under market on it by a fair amount.

You literally have to click refresh several times daily to get the hot deals when they come up and know exactly what you are looking for and jump when it pops up. My Flea was silver and I tried for months to find a blue one for sentimental reasons (my silver flake was originally blue flake) and just gave up and got it painted blue. Of course one popped up right after I did so, but was gone in an hour of listing and I didn't want to be 4k plus into a bass that wasn't dead mint anyway. I am the biggest modulus flea aficionado there is and the market is even outrunning what I am willing to spend. I am currently trying to buy a severely trashed pound puppy one to completely restore but I am unsure if it is a legit seller and the price is still pretty huge.

 

[FightMilk]

There’s some cool Gould P basses on reverb. I’d love one. Don’t need one.

 

[FreddyK]

This makes a huge difference. Just like the flea/funks - alternate pickup configurations, normal colors, bart pickups, 5 string version etc. all drive the prices down. The right combo (4 string, single MM pickup), color (anything flake) and electronics (lane poor/aguilar) in clean condition brings all the money. Almost everyone prefers the 99+ truss rod models but I love the earliest with the thinnest necks, the flea teeth logo and original lane poor the best, personally.

Same with the quantums. The truss rod eras (99+), two pickups in a 5 string configuration with a nice top and color without gold hardware bring the most cash. Sixes are still popular but there are just fewer 6 players than 5. The 4 strings are still great basses but the most popular Quantum and most sought after are 5's, just like on the flea/funk everyone wants a 4, this is the opposite. The "sweet spot" models have a limited fanbase and demand as well.

Where you can get a great deal is - the ones that sit on sites like GC for 2k forever and don't sell are usually old, no truss, fugly gold hardware and sometimes a sweetspot single pickup model (or a 4 string). Sometimes other shops who aren't as into the Modulus market use that as a comp and price a higher demand one for the same low price. My 99 blackstone was listed on reverb for 2500 in 9.5/10 condition with OHSC, and on the dealers website they had a 10% off offer for first time customers. $2250 and free shipping was way too cheap to pass up on and at least grand or so under market value. I spent a fair amount of money changing the hardware from chrome to black using OE hipshot A bridge and gotoh res-o-lites but am still under market on it by a fair amount.

You literally have to click refresh several times daily to get the hot deals when they come up and know exactly what you are looking for and jump when it pops up. My Flea was silver and I tried for months to find a blue one for sentimental reasons (my silver flake was originally blue flake) and just gave up and got it painted blue. Of course one popped up right after I did so, but was gone in an hour of listing and I didn't want to be 4k plus into a bass that wasn't dead mint anyway. I am the biggest modulus flea aficionado there is and the market is even outrunning what I am willing to spend. I am currently trying to buy a severely trashed pound puppy one to completely restore but I am unsure if it is a legit seller and the price is still pretty huge.

I had NO idea that the gold hardware was thought of a negative!! I have 4 (3x Q5's & and Q6); two are black hardware, one silver and one gold. The gold never really phased me.. though now you have made me think!!!

 

[ModulusFan]

I had NO idea that the gold hardware was thought of a negative!! I have 4 (3x Q5's & and Q6); two are black hardware, one silver and one gold. The gold never really phased me.. though now you have made me think!!!

Not to everyone, I personally don't like it (even on my spector ns-2 where it is a defining characteristic). A lot of people like gold, a lot of people don't, it is just kind of polarizing.